Keeping hands calm and hydrated throughout the day is no simple feat. Given how much hands are exposed to, it’s no wonder the skin ends up being crinkly, dry, and irritated. You may just think that’s a comfort issue (which of course it is as well), but it’s also contributing to signs of premature aging.

A weakened skin barrier leads to low-level, chronic inflammation. This type of inflammation is much more insidious, as it can break down collagen, thin skin, and, yes, lead to dark spots.

So during the day it’s important you have a high-quality hand cream to help restore the skin barrier, soothe any irritation, and feed the skin strengthening nutrients. 

There are tons of worthwhile ingredients to look for. This list of ingredients to look for is certainly non-exhaustive, but is a great place to start.